Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st T20I

That's all from me, Ganesh, and Ajith today. Hope you enjoyed the game. The second and last T20I is on 8th at Pallekele. Join us for that too and have a good day.

Dilshan: I'm very satisified. I batted slowly early on and I played my shots late in the innings and it worked. It was a good toss to lose. Perera bowled very well and Herath too. We need to polish some areas before we come in for the next game. Jeevan Mendis gave the momentum and he played a very good knock. The pressure is on the bowlers when both batsmen are playing their shots. The crowd has been fantastic too.

Dilshan is the MoM for his fantastic hundred.

Cameron White: Full credit to SL and Dilshan. He took the game away from us. I wish I could have the toss back. We were in the game for a long time until Dilshan took it away. Warner has been in good touch but unfortunately we could not get someone going with him. We knew what we were in for but were just not good enough on the day.

Jeevan Mendis: I was giving my 100%. Dilshan played an amazing innings. I don't think any batsman can play the way Dilshan played today. I just went there and gave the strike to Dilshan. The wicket was turning a bit and we believed we had a good chance of winning after we got 198.

A comprehensive win for Sri Lanka, they started slowly with the bat, but Dilshan's onslaught took them to 198, which was a really good total on this wicket. The Aussies were under pressure, lost wickets regularly and couldn't capitalize. Perera starred with the ball, as he picked 3 wickets on debut and rattled the middle order. Great team effort in the end, hand shakes all around as the Sri Lankans make their way out. Stay tuned for the presentation.

19.6 Prasad to Hastings, SIX!!, Hastings launches the last ball off the innings over the mid wicket fence, it was a huge hit but all it does is reduce the victory margin for SL.

19.5 Prasad to Johnson, 1 run, pitched up and on the off, Johnson drives it down to long on now for just a single

19.4 Prasad to Johnson, 2 runs, in the blockhole once more, Johnson pushes it on the onside for another couple

19.3 Prasad to Johnson, 2 runs, fuller length and on the middle and leg, Johnson turns it on the onside and runs well to pick two for it

19.2 Prasad to Hastings, 5 runs, Hastings hit this straight to the fielder at mid wicket, Perera came in quickly and had a shy at the non striker's end, he misses and Lakmal who was backing up misses too, concededes a boundary as a result

19.1 Prasad to Hastings, 2 runs, full and tailing away a touch, Hastings tries to launch it straight down the ground, does not middle it at all, picks up a couple as long off stops it

Dhammika Prasad [2.0-0-19-0] is back into the attack

18.6 Lakmal to Hastings, 1 run, another yorker from Lakmal, Hastings digs it out on the offside, just a single

John Hastings, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.5 Lakmal to O'Keefe, out Bowled!! Lakmal makes up for his poor effort in the previous delivery, fast and straight in the blockhole, O'Keefe misses and Lakmal hits the base of the off stump, very good bowling. O'Keefe b Lakmal 22(12) [4s-3 6s-1]

Lakmal to O'Keefe, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

18.4 Lakmal to O'Keefe, 2 runs, Johnson should have been dismissed there, it was the yorker from Lakmal, he digs it out to long on and Johnson was coming back for the non existent second, the throw was good coming in flat and hard to Lakmal, he collects it but takes a long time to break the stumps, allows Johnson to get back

18.3 Lakmal to Johnson, 1 run, full toss from Lakmal, Johnson misses out as he tries to work it on the onside, gets a thcik inside edge onto his pads and picks up just one

18.2 Lakmal to Johnson, no run, the slower one from Lakmal now, Johnson was looking to deposit it over the mid wicket fence but is done in by the change of pace

18.1 Lakmal to Johnson, FOUR!!, It is raining boundaries but it is coming a little too late for Aus, on the middle and leg and Johnson smashes it through the vacant mid wicket area for another boundary

Suranga Lakmal [2.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack

17.6 Kulasekara to O'Keefe, FOUR!!, O'Keefe emulates the SL captain or atleast tires too, this one was full and straight, he backs away and scoops it nicely over the keeper's head for another boundary

17.5 Kulasekara to Johnson, 1 run, low full toss and Johnson does not get it past the man at mid wicket, very well stopped too, just a single

17.4 Kulasekara to Johnson, SIX!!, Lovely hit from Johnson, it was full and on the middle and leg, he stands tall and swings it handsomely over the long on fence, superb hit that

17.3 Kulasekara to Johnson, 2 runs, on the middle and leg, Johnson flicks it firmly on the onside and in the gap, picks up two

17.1 Kulasekara to Johnson, 2 runs, catch dropped, fuller length, Johnson looks to clear long off but got it in the bottom of his bat, Angelo Mathews makes a mess of a simple chance and allows Johnson to bat on, the catching has been poor from SL today

16.6 Perera to O'Keefe, FOUR!!, O'Keefe is growing in confidence, this time he goes for the reverse sweep, connects it well and picks up another boundary

16.5 Perera to O'Keefe, FOUR!!, another one, this time does not middle it as well as the previous one but gets it in the gap through mid wicket, nicely done

16.4 Perera to O'Keefe, SIX!!, tossed up, O'Keefe gets down on one knee and slams it over the mid wicket fence, O'Keefe is going to play some shots here

16.2 Perera to O'Keefe, no run, O'Keefe pulls this straight to the fielder at mid wicket

16.1 Perera to O'Keefe, no run, O'Keefe leans forward and pushes it to cover

15.6 Kulasekara to Johnson, no run, full and wide outside off, wild swing by Johnson but misses it completely

15.5 Kulasekara to O'Keefe, 1 run, fuller length and on the middle and leg, O'Keefe pushes it to long on

15.4 Kulasekara to O'Keefe, no run, jagging in sharply, O'Keefe is beaten all ends up

15.3 Kulasekara to Johnson, 1 run, fuller length and outside off, O'Keefe punches it to long off

15.2 Kulasekara to O'Keefe, leg byes, 1 run, on the middle and leg, O'Keefe misses the flick and is hit on the pads, they pick one for it

Steve O'Keefe, right handed bat, comes to the crease

15.1 Kulasekara to Warner, out Caught by Dilshan!! Kulasekara was probably trying this earlier too, this one is full and wide outside off, Warner goes hard at it but does not find the gap, goes straight to Dilshan at extra cover, he does not miss it this time and that is the end of a very good knock. Warner c Dilshan b Kulasekara 53(31) [4s-6 6s-2]

Kulasekara to Warner, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

15.1 Kulasekara to Warner, wide, another one, too far outside off and called a wide rightly

15.1 Kulasekara to Warner, wide, very full and wide outside off

Nuwan Kulasekara [2.0-0-19-1] is back into the attack

14.6 Herath to Johnson, no run, going straight on, Johnson pushes it down the track

14.5 Herath to Johnson, no run, on the middle and leg, Johnson defends it again

14.4 Herath to Johnson, no run, fuller length and on the off, Johnson blocks it

Mitchell Johnson, left handed bat, comes to the crease

14.3 Herath to Warner, out Haddin Run Out!!1 run completed, Warner had whipped this one to deep mid wicket, the fielder came in quickly and Warner seemed to have been thrown off by the dive by the man coming in from mid on, he was not ready for the second and Haddin was left stranded in the middle of the track, nothing going right for Aus. Haddin run out (Mendis) 7(9)

Herath to Warner, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

14.2 Herath to Haddin, 1 run, fuller length and outside off, Haddin punches it to long off for a single

14.1 Herath to Haddin, no run, fuller length and outside off, Haddin hits it straight to the fielder at point

13.6 Dilshan to Warner, FOUR!!, short and skidding on, Warner rocks back and slams it to the mid wicket fence to bring up his 6th T20I FIFTY. It has been a fighting knock so far and Aus need him to stay till the end

13.5 Dilshan to Haddin, 3 runs, outside off, Haddin plays it very late and runs it down to third man, they run swiftly to pick three for it

13.4 Dilshan to Haddin, no run, on the off, Haddin gets back and is happy to just defend

13.3 Dilshan to Haddin, no run, turning in now, Haddin taps it on the onside

13.2 Dilshan to Warner, 1 run, fuller length and outside off, Warner punches it down to long off

13.1 Dilshan to Haddin, 1 run, on the middle and leg, Haddin turns it on the onside for another single

12.6 Herath to Haddin, 1 run, flat and skidding on, Haddin pulls it hard on the onside for a single

12.5 Herath to Warner, 1 run, catch dropped, Warner swung hard at this one, does not get the elevation he wanted, it went flat and hard to Dilshan at mid wicket but he puts it down and is miffed with himself

12.4 Herath to Haddin, 1 run, fuller length and outside off, Haddin pushes it on the offside for a quick single

12.3 Herath to Haddin, no run, another appeal for stumping as Sanga is very quick to whip the bails off again, Haddin ws beaten by some big turn outside off, he dragged his foot over the line but managed to get back in time

Brad Haddin, right handed bat, comes to the crease

12.2 Herath to Steven Smith, out Stumped!! Steven Smith continued to go down the track repeatedly without picking the flight and has paid the price for it, this one was flatter and went between the bat and pad, Sanga is quick to whip the bails off and that is the end of Steven Smith. Steven Smith st Sangakkara b Herath 12(17)

Herath to Steven Smith, THATS OUT!! Stumped!!

12.1 Herath to Warner, 1 run, sliding on from round the wicket, Warner checks his shot but it takes the edge and falls just short of the man running in from short third man, easy single

11.6 Dilshan to Steven Smith, no run, Steven Smith gets himeslf into quite a tangle as he misses the sweep, survives though

11.5 Dilshan to Warner, 1 run, sliding on, Warner gets a thick inside edge but they run well for a quick single

11.4 Dilshan to Warner, SIX!!, Top shot from Warner, gets down on one knee and slams this one over the mid wicket fence, picked it from outside off and swung hard, he is waging a lone battle here

11.3 Dilshan to Steven Smith, 1 run, Steven Smith stays back in the crease, allows it to turn and runs it past Sanga for a single

11.2 Dilshan to Steven Smith, 2 runs, Steven Smith does not look comfortable coming down the track, he is beaten by the flight this time too, manages to get just wide of the man at mid on and picks up two for it

11.1 Dilshan to Steven Smith, 2 runs, tossed up and outside off, Steven Smith rocks back and punches it in the gap on the offside, runs well to pick two for it

10.6 Herath to Steven Smith, 1 run, Steven Smith comes down the track, allows the ball to turn and taps it in front of point for a quick single, very good running

10.5 Herath to Warner, 1 run, on the middle and leg, Warner hits it hard but straight to long on, another single

10.4 Herath to Steven Smith, 1 run, fuller length and outside off, Steven Smith punches it on the offside for another single

10.3 Herath to Warner, 1 run, short and outside off, Warner looks to pull hard, mistimes it to long on and gets a single

10.2 Herath to Steven Smith, 1 run, just outside off, Steven Smith taps it on the offside and takes a quick single

10.1 Herath to Steven Smith, no run, very slow through the air and outside off, Steven Smith goes back and looks to cut hard, gets a thick inside edge instead

Rangana Herath, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

9.6 Dilshan to Steven Smith, 1 run, Steven Smith skips down the track and punches this one to long on, retains strike too

9.5 Dilshan to Warner, 3 runs, Very good delivery from Dilshan, flight and turn, Warner goes for the expansive drive and only manages to get an edge, no slip in place though and he runs well to pick up three

9.4 Dilshan to Steven Smith, 1 run, a touch fuller, Steven Smith plays it down to long off now to bring Warner back on strike

9.3 Dilshan to Steven Smith, no run, wild sweep from Steven Smith, tries to pick this one from outside off but misses

9.2 Dilshan to Steven Smith, no run, Steven Smith comes down the track and hits this one straight to the fielder at mid wicket

9.1 Dilshan to Steven Smith, no run, tossed up and outside off, Steven Smith misses the sweep and is struck on the pads outside off

Tillakaratne Dilshan, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

8.6 Perera to Steven Smith, 1 run, Perera errs in line, on the leg and Steven Smith taps it on the onside for a single, retains the strike with that run

8.5 Perera to Steven Smith, no run, good ball once again, just enough turn to make Steven Smith miss it, he is hit on the pads and the muted appeal is turned down

8.4 Perera to Warner, 1 run, tossed up and outside off, Warner drives it on the offside for an easy single

8.3 Perera to Warner, no run, drifitng in from round the wicket, Warner tries to push it on the onside but misses and is hit on the pads

8.2 Perera to Steven Smith, 1 run, tossed up and on the off, Steven Smith opens the face of the bat and taps it on the offside for a quick single

Steven Smith, right handed bat, comes to the crease

8.1 Perera to White, out Bowled!! Perera is just running through the middle order, poor shot from White, he went for a wild slog sweep, was a little too early in the shot, misses it completely as it turns in and knocks back the off stump, Australia are staring down the barrel now. White b Perera 7(7) [4s-1]

Perera to White, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

7.6 Prasad to Warner, no run, Prasad ends well too, very good yorker and Warner can only block

7.5 Prasad to White, 1 run, this one was angled in too, White gets a thick inside edge onto his pads and picks one for it

7.4 Prasad to White, no run, Sanga seemed absolutely convinced that White had nicked this one but the umpire says no, good delivery again from Prasad, nipped in and cuts White in half, no bat on it though, good decision

7.3 Prasad to White, FOUR!!, short of length and White pulls it hard, finds the gap between deep mid wicket and long on too, he gets another boundary

7.2 Prasad to Warner, 1 run, fuller length and Warner smashes this one down the ground too, long off is in place this time, just a single

7.1 Prasad to Warner, FOUR!!, The mid off man was up in the circle, Warner comes on the frontfoot and smashes this past him, the long on fielder made a valiant attempt but it was in vain, Warner continues to fight on

6.6 Perera to Warner, 1 run, given some air, skidding on too, Warner gets a thick inside edge and it rolls on the onside, another single to end a terrific over from Perera

6.5 Perera to White, 1 run, on the middle and leg now, White taps it on the onside and is happy with another single

6.4 Perera to White, no run, this one goes straight on, White plays it late and defends it on the onside

6.3 Perera to Warner, 1 run, pitched up again, Warner reaches out and pushes it down to long on

6.2 Perera to White, 1 run, tossed up and on the off, White gets it in the inside half of his bat and picks up a single to get off the mark

Cameron White, right handed bat, comes to the crease

6.1 Perera to David Hussey, out Bowled!! Perera is having a dream debut! Big turn again from round the wicket, it pitched on the middle and skidded on, turn too and David Hussey misses it completely, the bails are knocked over and Australia in a spot of bother now. David Hussey b Perera 6(8) [4s-1]

Perera to David Hussey, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

5.6 Prasad to Warner, FOUR!!, banged in short by Prasad, Warner goes for the pull, seemed to have missed but the umpire reckons he got some bat on it, it goes behind Sanga to the fine leg fence

5.5 Prasad to David Hussey, 1 run, fuller length and swinging away, David Hussey flays his bat and gets it down to third man

5.4 Prasad to David Hussey, no run, jagging back in again, David Hussey was looking to relieve the pressure with a big hit but misses it completely

5.3 Prasad to David Hussey, no run, fuller length and on the off, David Hussey can only defend this one

5.2 Prasad to David Hussey, no run, A belated appeal for a caught behind from Sanga, there was some sound as David Hussey misses this one outside off, it was moving away too but the umpire is not convinced, David Hussey survives

5.1 Prasad to David Hussey, FOUR!!, short of length and David Hussey is quick to rock onto the backfoot, plays the short arm pull and the outfield is very quick, it races to the fence after it beat the man at mid on

Dhammika Prasad, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

4.6 Perera to Warner, no run, big turn once again, angled in from round the wicket and nipping away off the track, Warner plays it late and taps it on the offside

4.5 Perera to David Hussey, 1 run, pitched up and outside off, David Hussey drives it hard and there is a fumble at cover, allows him to get off the mark

4.4 Perera to David Hussey, no run, very full and on the off, David Hussey punches it straight down the track

David Hussey, right handed bat, comes to the crease

4.3 Perera to Marsh, out Lbw!! This one was very similar to the previous delivery, squared up Marsh again as it turns away, Marsh is rapped on the pads and that would have gone on to hit the leg stump, Perera strikes in his first over and SL are right on top. Marsh lbw b Perera 4(7)

Perera to Marsh, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

4.2 Perera to Marsh, 2 runs, some turn for Perera now, Marsh was looking to play it on the onside, is squared up and it takes the edge and runs down to third man, a couple for Marsh

4.1 Perera to Warner, 1 run, this one is angled in from round the wicket, Warner taps it on the onside and picks up an easy single

4.1 Perera to Warner, wide, Perera errs in line straightaway, down the legside

Dilruwan Perera, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

3.6 Lakmal to Marsh, no run, tailing in a touch and on the leg, Marsh flicks it hard but does not find the gap, straight to the fielder at backward square leg

3.5 Lakmal to Warner, leg byes, 1 run, Lakmal goes for the yorker now, pacy too and on the leg, Warner misses the flick and his hit on the leg, they pick one for it

3.4 Lakmal to Warner, SIX!!, What power from Warner! This one was just a touch fuller, Warner stretches out and hammers it straight down the ground for maximum, that would have hurt Lakmal's pride, Warner is looking in very good touch

3.3 Lakmal to Marsh, 1 run, outside off again, Marsh stays back and runs it down to third man for a single

3.2 Lakmal to Marsh, no run, the slower one now from Lakmal and Marsh did not pick it, moves away a bit too and he is beaten

3.1 Lakmal to Marsh, no run, Huge mix up between the two batsmen and that could have easily been the end of Warner, Marsh had misses this one outside off and Sanga does not collect cleanly, Warner was haring down the track but Marsh is not interested, Warner sprints back and a wild throw from Sanga helps him get back in time

2.6 Kulasekara to Warner, no run, good reply from Kulasekara, closer to the off stump and skidding on again, Warner is beaten as he tries to defend

2.5 Kulasekara to Warner, FOUR!!, Kulasekara overcompensates in line, this one was too far outside off, Warner frees his arms and finds the gap through the covers this time, another boundary and Warner is racing away here

2.4 Kulasekara to Warner, FOUR!!, just short of length and skidding on, Warner is quick to swivel on the backfoot, he pulls it and places it to perfection, there was a man in the deep but Warner got it to the right of the man and picks another boundary

2.3 Kulasekara to Marsh, 1 run, on the leg, Marsh flicks it to deep square leg and gets an easy single, off the mark right away

Shaun Marsh, left handed bat, comes to the crease

2.2 Kulasekara to Watson, out Bowled!! Kulasekara persisited with those off cutters and has got his man, this one nipped in again from just outside off, too close for the cut Watson attempted, he gets a thick inside edge as a result and drags it onto his stumps, perfect start for Kulasekara and Sri Lanka. Watson b Kulasekara 10(9) [6s-1]

Kulasekara to Watson, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

2.2 Kulasekara to Watson, wide, Kulasekara fires this one down the legside, Sanga dives across to stop it

2.1 Kulasekara to Watson, SIX!!, Superb shot from Watson, this was full and slanting in, Watson picked it quickly, comes on the frontfoot and just flicks it hard, sheer timing sends it all the way over the fence, terrific!

1.6 Lakmal to Warner, FOUR!!, Lakmal ends poorly, a full toss on the middle and leg and Warner is too good a batsman to miss out on that, hammers it over mid wicket and sends it racing to the fence, neatly done

1.5 Lakmal to Watson, 1 run, full and just outside off again, Watson waits for it and steers it on the offside, gets off strike

1.4 Lakmal to Watson, no run, Lakmal was appealing for this one but there was a big inside edge, the umpire shakes his head, it was full and on the off, Watson played a loose stroke and got a thick inside edge onto his pads

1.3 Lakmal to Warner, 1 run, Lakmal gets this one to come in a bit but not the right line, on the middle and leg and Warner tucks it on the onside

1.3 Lakmal to Warner, wide, Lakmal tries to angle it across but goes too far outside off, called a wide rightly

1.2 Lakmal to Warner, no run, good length and just outside off, Warner punches it on the up but is stopped well by the man at extra cover

1.1 Lakmal to Watson, 1 run, Lakmal moves it away, fuller length and outside off, Watson guides it to third man, there was a fumble but Watson is not alive for the second, just a single when there should have been an easy two

Suranga Lakmal, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

0.6 Kulasekara to Warner, no run, Kulasekara moves it across Warner now, big movement again, Warner looks to pull but misses it completely

0.5 Kulasekara to Watson, 1 run, Kulasekara tries the same delivery but this time Watson was ready for it, swings it neatly to the man at deep square leg and takes an easy single

0.4 Kulasekara to Watson, no run, just a repeat of the previous delivery, nipping in again and some extra bounce too, Watson misses again and is struck on the thigh

0.3 Kulasekara to Watson, no run, nipping in sharply from outside off, Watson misses it completely and is hit on the pads, very good delivery that

0.2 Kulasekara to Warner, 1 run, good length and on the middle and leg, Warner turns it in front of the man at square leg and takes a quick single

0.1 Kulasekara to Watson, 1 run, swinging in and full, Watson whips it off his pads and gets off the mark straightaway

Watson and Warner are at the crease. Watson is on strike. Kulasekara will open the attack

Dilshan played a fine captain's innings to take SL to 198. He paced his innings beautifully too, going all out in the end overs and showed just why he is such a dangerous man in this format. The Aussies had no answer to the furious onslaught and brought up his 100 with a characteristic 'DilScoop'. A daunting task ahead of Australia as they look to chase this mammoth total. It is not going to be easy at all with SL having 4 spinners. Join us shortly for what should be an exciting run chase.

19.6 Johnson to Dilshan, no run, full and slanting across, beats Dilshan

19.5 Johnson to Dilshan, FOUR!!, Oh Ho HO! The Aussies will be terribly disappointed, pulled over mid wicket this time around, there were three fielders running for the ball, but nobody could get towards it, four more

19.4 Johnson to Dilshan, FOUR!!, CENTURY for Dilshan, and what a way to get it! The Dil-Scoop, wrong length, it was too full, Dilshan gets it just over short fine leg and it rolls down to the boundary

19.3 Johnson to Dilshan, SIX!!, MASSIVE! Dilshan was going across as Johnson delivered it, heaves it with utter disdain, sends the ball sailing into the stands, the noise levels have reached the upper limit!

19.2 Johnson to Dilshan, SIX!!, Dilshan has muscled this one over wide long on, full swing of the bat and he moves on to 90 with that big hit, cleared the rope with ease!

19.1 Johnson to Dilshan, no run, Dilshan was shaping for the Dil-scoop again, but Johnson dragged it short, bounces and goes to the keeper, umpire signals it one for the over!

Mitchell Johnson [3.0-0-27-1] is back into the attack

18.6 Lee to Dilshan, 1 run, outstanding over considering the stage of the innings, in the blockhole, Dilshan gets a thick inside edge as he gets the bat down quickly, Haddin collects it, doesn't stop the single though

18.5 Lee to Dilshan, no run, full and wide outside the off stump, Dilshan jams the bat down and despite the stretching, he couldn't get near the ball, looks at the umpire who doesn't think it's a wide

18.4 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, Jeevan Mendis drives a fuller one to long off

18.3 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, 2 runs, flayed down to long on, slightly wide of the fielder, enough for them to come back for the second run

18.2 Lee to Dilshan, 1 run, peach! Yorker from Lee, Dilshan got the bat down but only to get an inside edge, it misses the leg stump and rolls towards the keeper, Jeevan Mendis was safely in before Haddin's throw did

18.1 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, pitched up outside the off stump, Jeevan Mendis walks across and opens the blade to run it down to third man

17.6 Watson to Dilshan, SIX!!, CARNAGE! Absolute carnage at Pallekele, Dilshan slog sweeps it over deep mid wicket this time around, that goes a long long way, into the stands and Dilshan moves into the 80s

17.5 Watson to Dilshan, FOUR!!, Oh! This man is a treat to watch, effortlessly done, it was full and outside off, steered behind point and that was enough for the ball to run away to the boundary

17.4 Watson to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, slower full toss, Jeevan Mendis was looking to go over the top, doesn't come out of the meat of the blade, but luckily for him, the ball falls between the two converging fielders around the mid wicket and wide long on region

17.3 Watson to Dilshan, 1 run, much better, fuller one, driven to long on

17.2 Watson to Dilshan, FOUR!!, short ball, there is no deep point, Dilshan has it all easy, goes back and cuts it behind square towards the square third man boundary

17.1 Watson to Dilshan, SIX!!, Dilshan has been unstoppable today, much better this time around, gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it over deep square leg, enough power on that one to sail into the stands, the crowd are going crazy at Pallekele, amazing scenes!

Shane Watson [3.0-0-19-1] is back into the attack

16.6 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, FOUR!!, the 150 is up with that fantastic cover drive, bisected the two fielders in the deep, a fine little cameo this one is turning out to be

16.5 Lee to Dilshan, 1 run, full toss again, Dilshan crunches it to extra cover, sharp throw but Dilshan had made it safely

16.4 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, full toss outside the off stump, driven just in front of square, there is a man in the deep

16.3 Lee to Dilshan, 1 run, fuller one, driven to cover, straight to the fielder but a single nevertheless

16.2 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, leg byes, 1 run, well dusguised slower delivery, Jeevan Mendis can't work it across, rapped on the knee roll, but slightly outside the off stump, Lee appeals but in vain, the batsmen sneak one

16.2 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, wide, similar length, similar line, Jeevan Mendis walks well across looking to work it to the on side, but the ball goes slightly outside the wide indicator line, and Lee is not happy with that decision

16.1 Lee to Jeevan Mendis, FOUR!!, this bloke looks too good for this format, intelligent cricket, it was full and outside the off stump, got the bat down and and opened the face to steer it down to the third man boundary

Brett Lee [2.0-0-20-1] is back into the attack

15.6 Hastings to Dilshan, FOUR!!, make that three in a row! Dilshan is on fire, 20 runs off this over, short ball and that was as easy as it could get, pulled off the frontfoot through mid wicket, beauty!

15.5 Hastings to Dilshan, FOUR!!, everything he touches is turning into gold here, he was in two minds, wanted to reverse sweep but just tapped the ball to get it between the keeper and short third man, rolls away to the third man boundary

15.4 Hastings to Dilshan, FOUR!!, Hastings is getting too predictable here, slower one again out of the back of the hand, Dilshan gets down on one knee and sweeps it hard, rockets away to the deep square leg boundary, FIFTYfor Dilshan

15.3 Hastings to Dilshan, 2 runs, too full, Dilshan leans and works it to deep square leg, couple more

15.3 Hastings to Dilshan, wide, slower ball, well outside the off stump, Dilshan stretches but doesn't make any contact, wide called

15.2 Hastings to Dilshan, FOUR!!, slower bouncer, Dilshan makes a feast out of it, pulls hard over square leg, David Hussey came charging to his left, puts in a dive but there was no way he could have caught that, one bounce over the ropes

15.1 Hastings to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, fuller one outside the off stump, Jeevan Mendis drives it towards deep point

John Hastings [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack

14.6 Watson to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, low full toss outside the off stump, Jeevan Mendis was backing away and had to strech to meet the ball, goes off the thickish outisde edge to third man, 12 off that Watson over

14.4 Watson to Jeevan Mendis, FOUR!!, top shot! Not too short, but Jeevan Mendis seemed to have that extra bit of time, pulls it in front of square on the on side and dispatches it to the mid wicket boundary

14.3 Watson to Jeevan Mendis, 2 runs, Jeevan Mendis goes back and pulls the attempted bouncer behind square on the on side for a couple of runs

14.2 Watson to Dilshan, 1 run, short ball from Watson, pulled through square leg for a single

14.1 Watson to Dilshan, FOUR!!, Dilshan failed to get it right the first time, but this time around, there was no stopping him, gets the Dil-scoop out of the middle of the bat, the ball goes over the keeper for a boundary, Watson doesn't look at Dilshan, walks back to his run up

13.6 Steven Smith to Dilshan, 1 run, fuller one, Dilshan sweeps it through square leg and retains the strike with that run

13.2 Steven Smith to Jeevan Mendis, FOUR!!, Jeevan Mendis reverse sweeps! Does extremely well, third man was up and he gets it past him, the fielder was flying in the air to stop that, but couldn't get his fingers to the ball

13.1 Steven Smith to Jeevan Mendis, no run, turns in sharply from outside off, Jeevan Mendis does well to adjust and push it towards cover point, wanted a single but sent back

Steven Smith [1.0-0-6-0] is back into the attack

12.6 Watson to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, Jeevan Mendis goes back and across, stabs it towards mid wicket and scampers through for a single

12.5 Watson to Dilshan, 1 run, fuller length from Watson, Dilshan drives it to long off, can't get anything more than a single

12.4 Watson to Jeevan Mendis, 1 run, clips one to mid wicket to get things rolling straight away with a single

Jeevan Mendis, left handed bat, comes to the crease

12.3 Watson to Sangakkara, out Caught by White!! Soft dismissal that, Sangakkara goes across looking to flick it, ends up chipping it straight to White at mid wicket, he failed to read the slower one, checked his shot at the last moment, didn't do him any good, a fine innings though. Sangakkara c White b Watson 30(22) [4s-4]

Watson to Sangakkara, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

12.2 Watson to Dilshan, 1 run, wide half-volley, Dilshan drives, White at extra cover leaps to his right and stops it, can't prevent a single though

12.1 Watson to Dilshan, no run, Dilshan gets forward and cracks the length ball to cover, straight to the fielder

11.6 Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, plays it off the backfoot, blocks one to the on side, good end to the over

11.5 Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, defended by Sangakkara, it was around the off stump and thereabouts

11.5 Johnson to Sangakkara, wide, down the leg, this will cause more worries to Johnson, he has to bowl another one

11.4 Johnson to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, full and on the leg stump, Sangakkara flicks it beautifully behind square, perfect placement, he gets four runs for that! The fifty partnership is up with that, Johnson is not having a good time out in the middle

11.3 Johnson to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, handsomely done! Sangakkara lofts it over Johnson, mid off was up and Sangakkara knew that the risk involved in that one was pretty less, gets four more

11.2 Johnson to Sangakkara, 2 runs, slower ball, Sangakkara was going for the lofted hit, doesn't make good contact, was a touch too early, just manages to loft it over the fielder running back from mid on. Sangakkara is taking his chances here

11.1 Johnson to Sangakkara, 2 runs, gets the line wrong, too full and down the leg, Sangakkara walks across and flicks it to fine leg, O' Keefe does well, slides and keeps it down to two

Mitchell Johnson [2.0-0-14-1] is back into the attack

10.6 Watson to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara goes back and tucks it through mid wicket

10.5 Watson to Dilshan, 1 run, Dilshan pulls this one through square leg

10.4 Watson to Dilshan, no run, Dilshan pats one to the left of the bowler, Watto runs to his left and throws the ball back, Dilshan was looking to take evasive action and stuck his hand to his right, the Aussies could have appealed there, they opt not to do so

10.3 Watson to Dilshan, no run, slower one outside the off stump, Dilshan can't pull that one

10.2 Watson to Sangakkara, 1 run, pushed to long off, easy single

10.1 Watson to Dilshan, leg byes, 1 run, Dilshan goes for the Dil-scoop, doesn't connect well, Watson is having a wry smile on his face and has a couple of words to say to Dilshan, it hit Dilshan's arm and goes wide of the keeper

9.6 Steven Smith to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, Sangakkara spoils the party, goes straight over the bowler's head, that's the safest region to play the lofted shot, a couple of bounces and into the fence

9.5 Steven Smith to Dilshan, 1 run, more air on that delivery, Dilshan drives it to long off

9.4 Steven Smith to Dilshan, no run, driven to cover, turning out to be a good over

7.5 Hastings to Dilshan, leg byes, 2 runs, Dilshan looks to pull, doesn't get bat on ball, hits him in the abdominal area and goes towards third man, two more

7.4 Hastings to Dilshan, no run, nips back in from outside off, Dilshan just blocks it and was ball watching, Sangakkara was charging down for a single but had to go back, no harm done in the end

7.4 Hastings to Dilshan, wide, full and down the leg, poor bowling this!

7.3 Hastings to Dilshan, FOUR!!, too easy! Dilshan could have gone back to the pavilion for a cup of tea and come back by that time, too slow, and also a juicy full toss outside the off stump, Dilshan waits and places it pretty well, sweeper cover had no chance!

7.2 Hastings to Sangakkara, 1 run, fuller one this time around, driven on the frontfoot to long off, settles for a single

7.1 Hastings to Sangakkara, no run, pushes one actoss the left hander, Sanga watches the ball through to the keeper

John Hastings [1.0-0-4-0] is back into the attack

6.6 O'Keefe to Dilshan, no run, beautiful delivery! pitches just outside leg, turns across sharply, Dilshan was looking to sweep, may have got a slight edge, hit on the arm later on, no appeal from the Aussies yet again

6.5 O'Keefe to Sangakkara, 1 run, a bit of air on that one, driven to long on

6.4 O'Keefe to Dilshan, 1 run, Dilshan cracks that off the frontfoot towards long off, happy with the single

6.3 O'Keefe to Sangakkara, wide, fires one down the leg, wide signalled!

6.2 O'Keefe to Dilshan, 1 run, Sangakkara had to hurry, Dilshan opened the face and nurdled it towards point, David Hussey the fielder, hurls the ball back, but the keeper was in front of the stumps, he had to flick the ball back, Sangakkara gets back inside the crease in the meanwhile, risky running from these two

6.1 O'Keefe to Sangakkara, 1 run, the spinner brought back on, Sangakkara turns it behind square on the on side and ambles across to the other end

Steve O'Keefe [1.0-0-5-0] is back into the attack

5.6 Johnson to Dilshan, no run, short ball, cut away, but can't beat the fielder at backward point

5.5 Johnson to Dilshan, 2 runs, uses his wrists and works it through mid wicket and yet again, some impressive running, they take two

5.4 Johnson to Sangakkara, 1 run, fuller one, worked towards mid wicket for a quick single, off the mark

Kumar Sangakkara, left handed bat, comes to the crease

5.3 Johnson to Chandimal, out Hit Wkt!! Oh dear! Is this the first hit-wicket in T20Is? Guess so. Comedy of errors from Chandimal, shuffled across and slipped as he looked to clip one across the stumps, the front leg went on to kiss the stumps, the bails fall down, the keeper notices it and the Aussies are overjoyed, end of Chandimal! Chandimal hit wkt b Johnson 11(11) [4s-2]

Johnson to Chandimal, THATS OUT!! Hit Wkt!!

5.2 Johnson to Chandimal, no run, slanted across the off stump, Chandimal can't get that away, flashes and misses it

5.1 Johnson to Dilshan, 1 run, crunched straight to extra cover but that's imressive running between the wickets, the throw came to the keeper's end, but Chandimal was in safely

4.6 Hastings to Chandimal, no run, full and well outside the off stump, Chandimal was looking to go after that, a play and a miss, there was some sound as the ball went past the pad, may be it was the bat hitting the ground, no appeal!

4.5 Hastings to Dilshan, 1 run, Hastings backs it up with another slower one, pushed towards cover, easy single

4.3 Hastings to Dilshan, 1 run, Dilshan looks to pull, gets a slight inside edge onto the thigh guard, the ball ambles towards the left of the keeper, another single

4.2 Hastings to Chandimal, 1 run, Chandimal walks away from the leg stump and flays it to mid wicket, on one bounce to Watson at mid wicket who fumbles, a single results

4.1 Hastings to Dilshan, leg byes, 1 run, back of a length and angled in, goes to the on-side off the thigh guard, they sneak a leg bye

John Hastings, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

3.6 Johnson to Chandimal, no run, slats one outside the off stump, Chandimal flashes at it but the bat does not meet the ball

3.5 Johnson to Chandimal, FOUR!!, the crowd are loving it! Short ball again, Chandimal pulls it behind square this time around, no fielder there, races away in no time

3.4 Johnson to Chandimal, FOUR!!, he's backing away to almost eveyrthing now, hits it hard on the pitch, the ball bounces over Johnson and goes down to the long on boundary

3.3 Johnson to Dilshan, 1 run, cracks the length ball towards extra cover and a quick single taken, a small collision there between Dilshan and Johnson, they have a few words to say to each other, nothing serious!

3.2 Johnson to Chandimal, 1 run, that one nipped back in, Chandimal backs away and pulls it down to fine leg, good effort from Lee at fine leg

3.1 Johnson to Chandimal, no run, starts with a short ball, Chandimal slaps hard, can't get it past the packed off-side field

Mitchell Johnson, comes into the attack

2.6 Lee to Dilshan, FOUR!!, too full outside the off stump, Dilshan gets the bat down and steers it behind backward point, third man couldn't do much about it, top shot, sheer timing!

2.5 Lee to Dilshan, SIX!!, lethal bouncer but Lee has to pay, Dilshan was late into the pull, gets a top edge and the ball sails over the fine leg boundary, the pace of the ball did the trick

2.4 Lee to Dilshan, 2 runs, width again, Dilshan cuts hard, Johnson fumbles at third man and that allows Dilshan to run two

2.3 Lee to Dilshan, no run, Dilshan crunches that to extra cover, straight to the fielder though

2.2 Lee to Chandimal, leg byes, 1 run, looks to work it across, goes off the pad to square leg

2.2 Lee to Chandimal, wide, that's bounced a lot, even a Chandimal on top of another Chandimal couldn't have played that one, wide signalled, the ball goes to the left of the keeper but they don't take any run

Dinesh Chandimal, right handed bat, comes to the crease

2.1 Lee to Mahela Jayawardene, out Bowled!! Wonderful bowling from Lee, yorker length but it was sliding down the leg, Mahela Jayawardene backed away looking to open the face of the bat and steer it behind square on the off side, not the right length to play that kind of a shot, played on! The ball kissed the bat, deflected and disturbed the off stump. Mahela Jayawardene b Lee 11(11) [4s-2]

Lee to Mahela Jayawardene, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

1.6 O'Keefe to Dilshan, no run, gives it a bit of air, but on the pads, Dilshan can't work it across, hit on the pad down the leg

1.5 O'Keefe to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, quicker one, Mahela Jayawardene goes back and manages to get some bat on it, the aussies appeal for LBW, but that went off the bat, no signal from the umpire, they sneak a single

1.4 O'Keefe to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, short and wide, that's easy for someone of the calibre of Mahela Jayawardene, rocks back and cuts hard, gets it through backward point, the fielder had no chance of stopping that

1.3 O'Keefe to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, Mahela Jayawardene makes a bit of room and looks to smash that through covers, gets a thick inside edge and the keeper's pad stops the ball from going anywhere

1.2 O'Keefe to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, Mahela Jayawardene looks to sweep that one from outside off, misses it

1.1 O'Keefe to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, turns away from Mahela Jayawardene's off stump, but he plunges forward and dead bats it to the off side

Steve O'Keefe, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

0.6 Lee to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, a bit of width on offer, Mahela Jayawardene chops it past the slip cordon, third man will keep it down to one

0.5 Lee to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR!!, 'take that' says Mahela Jayawardene, makes room and lofts that length ball over mid on, that's all he had to do, the ball ambles away to the long on boundary

0.4 Lee to Dilshan, 1 run, Dilshan uses his wrists and drives it wide of mid on and runs across for a single, he is not that kind of a player who would take time to get set

0.3 Lee to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, short ball from Lee, Mahela Jayawardene creates a bit of room and slaps that cross batted, luckily for him, it didn't carry to the fielder at cover point who got his body behind but couldn't stop it completely, they take a single, Mahela Jayawardene off the mark

0.2 Lee to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, pitches it up outside the off stump, Mahela Jayawardene walks towards the pitch of the ball and taps it back to Lee who bends down and collects it on his follow-through

0.1 Lee to Mahela Jayawardene, no run, a bit of movement first up for Lee, gets it to shape away from the off stump, Mahela Jayawardene watches it carefully and shoulders arms, two slips in place for the right hander

Mahela Jayawardene and Dilshan are at the crease. Mahela Jayawardene is on strike. Lee will open the attack

Players of both teams are out for the official photograph session, we are just a couple of minutes away from the start of play. Now that they are done with it, the Aussies make their way in. Brett Lee is marking his run up, Mahela and Dilshan are walking out to open the innings.

Tillakaratne Dilshan: I would have bowled first as well, we aren't sure how the wicket would behave, there is also a bit of rain around. We have 4 spinners, hopefully we can do some damage. Myself and Mahela will bat at the top of the order.

Australia have won the toss and elected to field

Cameron White: We will field first, the wicket is under covers for a couple of days and we are not sure about the conditions. We are looking forward to this contest. We are in with a predictable line up, Watson and Warner will start off at the top of the order. Pattinson and Finch miss out.

All set for toss, Tony Greig is out with Cameron White and Tillakaratne Dilshan.

The covers were on until now. However, they are being removed. There was a slight drizzle early on, but we are good to go. The toss will happen in a short while.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the 1st T20I between Sri Lanka and Australia from Pallekele. These two teams have played 4 T20Is prior to this one and they have won 2 games each. It has been 7 years since the Aussies played a bilateral series in Sri Lanka and under the leadership of Cameron White, they would be looking forward to the start of a tough tour. Don't go away, toss is just minutes away and this is Ajith, bringing you all the action along with Ganesh.

Preview by Gokul Gopal

Australia open their campaign in Sri Lanka with two Twenty20 internationals which could set the tone for the rest of the tour. Sri Lanka, with the home conditions favouring them, will be expected to overcome the Aussies. However, the youth-filled side from down under will have a point to prove.

Head to Head:

Both sides have faced off against each other in four T20 Internationals with each team winning two games.

Australia:

Twenty20 skipper Cameron White will be heading back home after the two games as he is not part of the Australian ODI or Test team setup, and just before boarding the flight to Sri Lanka, the allrounder had expressed his displeasure over the Australian selection policy. He will now be wanting to back his statement up with a solid performance in the tour's opening two games, albeit in the 20 over format.

The team that White has though, is one without any shortage of experience. With the likes of Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, David Warner, David Hussey and Brad Haddin, there is a lot of strength on display in the batting order. As far as the bowling is concerned, Australia have Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and James Pattinson to man the pace attack while it will be interesting to see who emerges to be the best spinner of the two between Steve O'Keefe and Steven Smith. Overall, Australia does possess a balanced side but they will have to cope well with the local conditions if they are to prevail over the Lankans.

Sri Lanka:

Home conditions, a slightly weakened Aussie line-up and eagerness to make up for a disappointing England tour, Sri Lankan skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan would be looking to kick-off the series on a winning note and with it, take the momentum through. The Lankans have a pretty stable squad on offer and despite missing a couple of key players, there is an opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their prowess on the big stage, as expected by the skipper.

Despite the absence of Lasith Malinga, Kulasekara, Perera and Dhammika Prasad have quite a bit of experience between them when it comes to handling the new ball. And, there is still quality in the Lankan spin attack even after the retirement of Muralitharan - the likes of Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv and Rangana Herath are very much capable giving the Aussies a hard time. When it comes to batting, Sri Lanka have the big three in Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara to provide all the strength at the top while Chandimal and vice-captain Angelo Mathews can manage things on their own down the order. With things not faring quite well for the Island Nation post the World Cup, they would now be looking to turn the heat on the touring Aussies.

Quotes:

Malinga's loss is felt a lot. But I see it as a good chance for the younger players to step-up and perform: Tillakaratne Dilshan

Sri Lanka are in very good form. They will be very hard to beat in their own backyard. But we will give them a good fight: Cameron White